Can't boot from CD on Dell Inspiron 15

I recently bought a Dell Inspiron 15 I3541 6600BLK which has been a nightmare. Right out of the box the battery was dead which I could tolerate to a certain extent, but now I'm getting an error when booting up. Something about an error and it needs to be repaired with a blue screen. Error code 0x000000D. It did not come with any repair discs like it asks but I do have a Windows 8 Disc. The problem is that it won't boot the CD. I've searched a few answers but none have worked. I can't change the BIOS to Legacy and there is no boot order at all. Basically nothing I can do with the options I have. This is beyond frustrating and I just would like to be able to start up the laptop. I will return it if I have to but won't be for a few days.

Thanks for any help, I appreciate it.

 

First of all, which OS are you trying to install?

If you are trying to install Windows 7 it's best to set the boot mode to legacy

If you are trying to install Windows 8 or 10, then it's best to set the boot mode to UEFI.

With that being said, if the Windows DVD was not created in the respective UEFI/Legacy (CSM) mode, then you won't even see it listed sometimes under the boot options.

Try to create the same DVD/USB using the following options with a tool called RUFUS

Legacy Mode ISO Creator:




UEFI ISO Creator:

 

Hi, thanks so much. Problem is I am on a Mac so I may have to find a workaround for that method. I am trying Windows 8 but I can also do 7 is possible. The problem is that there is no Legacy mode option at all or boot order for me to select a CD. If I insert a Windows 7 disc will this be different?

 

Which OS X version are you on? You have access to a DVD burner on your mac?

 

You can easily install Windows 7 in a virtual machine to do this although while in the virtual machine you will have to mount the USB/DVD Drive for Windows to be able to see it so you can perform the USB creation as per the guide above

 

No I am not trying to install Windows on my Mac. I meant I have to create the bootable USB on mac which Rufus is only for Windows.

 

Yes I have DVD burner. I have a Windows 8 CD and I can get 7 if needed, but I can't boot them at all on my laptop which is the problem.

 

what I meant is, while in your Mac, install Windows 7 in a virtual machine just temporarily to create the USB

just to reiterate, if you want to install Windows 7 on your Inspiron, then create the DVD using RUFUS for the Legacy Boot / CSM

If you want to install Windows 8.1, then create the DVD/USB Flash disk using the UEFI method. If not done this way, Windows may not be even able to see that DVD/Flash disk as a bootable device. Then obviously set the BIOS to legacy or non legacy depending on which OS you are trying to install

 

Did you try F12 that should be the boot options for Dell. And does this model have a CD drive?

 

You're on a Mac. Just dd the ISO to the thumb drive.

Code:

diskutil unmountDisk /dev/disk*
dd if=windows.iso of=/dev/rdisk*
diskutil eject /dev/disk*

Or use Disk Utility:
http://forums.macrumors.com/threads/how-to-burn-an-iso-to-usb-flash-drive.598291/#post-11352563

 

Thank you for the replies. yes F12 works and brings up options but it doesn't solve anything for me and yes this model does have a disc drive. When the disc is in I hear it spin but does not load up. When I press F12 to get to the options there is no boot order or anything and I do not have that legacy option under bios. Will booting with a USB version make any difference? I will be trying these tomorrow, thank you.

 

Can you post a photo of the screens you get when pressing F12 and/or delete during boot? You keep saying you don't have boot options but don't indicate what you ARE seeing.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

This sounds like a dead disk drive to me. Take it back and have it fixed under warranty.